Latching means for handbag frames



J 1952 w. L. sTRAuss 2,581,729

LATCHING MEANS FOR HANDBAG FRAMES Filed Jan. 24, 1948 I INVENTOR. Mman L. sT'RAU Patented Jan. 8, 1952 LATCHING MEANS FOR HANDBAG FRAMES Walter L. Strauss, New York, N. Y.

Application January 24, 1948, Serial No. 4,115

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in purses, handbags and the like, and, more particularly, aims to provide a novel and valuable construction for an openable and closable structure at the top of such a receptacle. This type of openable and closable structure is known in the handbag art as the frame, and comprises a pair of interpivoted frame members of semi-circular, U-shaped or any other desired form such that said members may be pivotally connected at end portions thereof whereby said members may be swung apart to open the bag or swung in toward each other to close the bag.

The cardinal object of the invention is to provide hinge means including a pair of aligned spiral or helical pivots for connecting the two frame members, whereby, on manually causing relative movement of said pivots endwisely of their direction of alignment, the frame is opened,

,but against spring means tending always to close the frame and retain it closed, and, in combination therewith, latch means for retaining the frame in open condition, and a manually actuable means for releasing said latch means for freeing the spring means to close the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement as last described, with the frame members made of plastic, metal or any other suitable material, which is characterized by general compactness and inconspicuousness, a simple and inexpensive yet rugged construction, ease and convenience of operation, and long life in use.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a now favored embodiment of a bag frame pursuant to the invention, with such frame closed.

Fig. '2 shows the parts as observed in Fig. 1, but with the frame open.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partially broken away, looking toward the left in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar view, looking toward the right in Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation, looking toward the left in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a similar view, partially broken away, looking toward the right in Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail view, being a section taken on the line 1- -1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, for more clearly showing the latch means for holding the frame open and the actuator for permitting manual release of the latch to free the frame for automatic closing thereof.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view, illustrating another embodiment, and showing parts of the latter which as modified correspond to the parts seen at the lower left in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the pins, per se.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, and first to Figs. 1-9, a frame is shown which includes a pair of frame members I5 and I6, each illustrated (Figs. 6, '7 and 9) as U-shaped in cross section, as is customary.

Attached to the frame member I B, as at IT, is

a curvilinearly extended leaf spring l'8.

At the opposite ends of the frame member I5 are lips I5, I5, each for flatwise abutment against one of the lips I6, I6 at opposite ends of the frame member I6.

There are pivot pins I9 passed through apertures in a different one of the sets of lips l5'--I6. The pivot pins l9, see particularly Fig. 11, have lengths of rectangular cross section and twisted or otherwise formed to have helically extended opposite side edges; while the apertures through the lips I5, I5 are slots corresponding in outline to the cross section of the pins I9 where shaped as last described. The apertures through the lips I6, I6 for also taking the pins I9 may be round holes, of a diameter somewhat greater than the length of said slots.

Each of the pins I9 is suitably secured to the opposite ends of the leaf spring I8; such pins being shown as having enlarged heads I9, with the shank ofeach pin traversing a suitable aperture through the leaf spring and with the head of that pin brazed, soldered or in any adequate way attachedto the leaf spring I8 for fixation of the pin thereon.

The direction of twist of the shanks of the pins I9 is such that when they are forced toward eachother, as by a pressure of the thumb and forefinger of a hand squeezingly applied to the lower ends of the leaf spring, the frame members I5 and iii are relatively swung to open the frame, and at the same time said spring is tensioned in such a way that when the latter is released it is conditioned for effecting reverse movements of the pins I9 to cause automatic closing of the frame.

A means is provided, however, for preventing premature closing of the frame, even after the leaf spring I8 is manually released. Here such means is illustrated as incorporating a pair of hooks 2i] and 2| respectively formed at the ends of leaf spring strips 22 and 23. The strip 22 is suitably secured, as by brazing, soldering or otherwise, to the frame member I5. The strip 23 is pivotally mounted, as by a rivet 24, on the frame member I6.

When the frame is closed, said hooks are disengaged as shown in Fig. 3, but when the frame is opened said hooks interengage, functioning as a latch, as shown in Fig. 5., Oneofythehooks 2|] and 2| is, laterally of its carryingstrinof less dimension than its complementaryhook, so thata small angle of swing of the strip 23,, about its point of pivotal mounting 24, and in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8, disengages the latch.

Referring now particularly to- Figs...8 and .9, the manually operable release means for: saidlatch includes a; plunger 25 ,ina small cylinder 25 brazed, soldered or otherwise secured to the frame [6, and urged by-an expansile coil spring 2] toward protrusion from said; cylinder. Projected from the inner end of the plunger 25 is astem-like portion 28 having anangularly offset endextensionZB. The stem-like portion 28 slidably passes through an aperture, provided in the frame I6, and the end extension29 extends through a slot 3| also formed in the frame IS. The strip 23 has an indentation 32 in which the free end of the extension 29 is nested.

To allow flexing the leaf spring l8 to cause opening of the frame as already described, the leaf spring |8 has a cut out 33 (compare Figs. 3, 8 and 9).

To release the latch means 20-2], thereby to free the tension imposed on the leaf; spring I8 incidental to opening the frame-and maintained in the'spring while the frame isheld open by said-latch means, whereby such freed tension will eifect closing of the frame it is merely necessary to press lightly on the plunger 25. The-parts are so shaped and, arranged that slight inward movement of the plunger swings the hook 2| laterally of the hook 20. to a sufiicient extentto release the latchmeans.

As will be understood, the latch means may be placed, at. any suitablelocation, and this isalso true in regard to the release means,

Various .other modifications are possible within the invention, such, as the shapesof theframemembers, whether or not they merely abut or one lies within another on closing the frame, the material or materials of which .any of theparts are made, the manner of securementofone:partv to another, the type ofspring vmeansemployed, etc. For instance, instead of a leaf spring, a coil spring could be used, as the spring means for causing automatic closing of the frame Referring in the latter connection, to Fig, 10, the parts here marked Ili l L69, |.8 JQ- and l9? correspond, respectively, to the, parts |5C, I5, I6, l8, I9 and l9 in Figs..l9., According to this, arrangement, the element, l8? or, an equivalent. neednot be a ,leaf spring, but, instead. may be made merely inelastically flexible. With thepin |9 like a pin l9, its head l9 maybe placed externally of the element m with the pin mounted; on said element Ill against rotation relative thereto by having the pin shanktraverseakey ing; slot through said element l 8; fandan; ex pansile coil spring 35 may be placed sleevinglyronn pins corresponding to the pins [9 I9 or in connection with both such pins.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming withinythe scope of.=',the;.invention; asadefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United Stateshetters Eat nhis:

1., Latch means for securing in an open position a pairof U-shaped purse frames which are pivotally connected; together at their adjacent ends by end aligned pivots and resiliently urged to aclosed position, comprising a spring strip fixedly secured to the end portion of one of the frameswith one end-projected beyond the-respective pivot andrshapedrto; provide a hook, asecond spring strip extendedalong the end DO 0 the otherof? the frames; with one end p jected beyond; the said respective pivot and-shaped to;

provide a hook complementary-to saidfirst-hook so that when the frames are pivoted-to av fully.- open position saidhooks-zwill, be. engaged. retaining the frames inanopenposi-tion, said second:

s ring strip .having its .other end pivoted.- omits. respective frame tobeswunaonaxis extended; at right angles: to the axis; on; which the: frames swing with relation to each other. and means: for pivoting said. second; springstrip. to disengage said'hooks and free the frames to-,,be resiliently:

urgedto a closed position. 2. Latch means for'securing in. anopen p.051- tion a pair of U'shapedpurse framesrwhichare pivotally connected together, .-at.th.eir-adjacen ends by. end aligned .pivotszandrresilient yru d to a closed position; comprising .a; sprin strip fixedlysecured to th.e:..end portion. of. one; of the;

eased zreta nin vtheiframes; in an open position, d: second; prin pivotedw n its.: s ot. e-frameto be. swung on axis;extended;- at right-anglesto. the. axis on.

which.the frarnessswing-with relation to each other, and means for. nivotingsaids eond sprin strip .todisengage. said hooks and free thev frames to healtesiliently; ursedto a,.c losed,ppsiti0h,. said mean compris ngaa cy fmd recured to. the frame upon which said. second spring strip is secured withits axis. extendedat right-angles t0 the pivot of. said second. sprin strip. the.

frame upon. which. saidsecond spring strip is. pivoted having..,an elongated, slot; with, its .length extended parallel to the axis of. said cylinder, said; secon asprin strip-having a re ess ali n with and directed away.fromsaidslot,aplunger. having, an. intermediate. portion extended slidably through said cylinder, and a right-augmady-bent. extension -on -the.inner end: of s i plunger having its free end projected through;

said slotiand into said recess, so; that when, said plunger is pressedinyvard-Lsaid.second. spring.

strip will,;be.;pivotede:to:disengagesaid hooks.

3. Latch means :for;:seouringin an openpost hoo flomplementary, to said. first :.hookso; that .-when;the frames are pivoted. to.. a; fully; ne posit-ion, aid hooks will. be ntrip having its other end tion a pair of U -shaped purse frames which are pivotally connected together at their adjacent ends by end aligned pivots and. resiliently urged to a closed position, comprising a spring strip fixedly secured to the end portion of one of the frames with one end projected beyond the respective pivot and shaped to provide a hook, a second spring strip extended along the end portion of the other of the frames with one end projected beyond the said respective pivot and shaped to provide a hook complementary to said first hook so that when the frames are pivoted to a fully open position said hooks will be engaged retaining the frames in an open position, said second spring strip having its other end pivoted on its respective frame to be swung on axis extended at right angles to the axis on which the frames swing with relation to each other, and means for pivoting said second'spring strip to disengage said hooks an .1 free the frames to be resiliently urged to a closed position, said means comprising a cylinder secured to the frame upon which said second spring strip is secured with its axis extended at right angles to the pivot of said second spring strip, the frame upon which said second spring strip is pivoted having an elongated slot with its length extended parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said second spring strip having a recess aligned with and directed away from said slot, a plunger having an intermediate portion extended slidabiy through said cylinder, and a right-angularly bent extension on the inner end of said plunger having its free end projected through said slot and into said recess, so that when said plunger is pressed inward said second spring strip will be pivoted to disengage said hooks, and resilient means within said cylinder holding said plunger in a position in which the hook of said second spring strip will be aligned with the hook of said fixed spring strip.

4. Latch means for securing in an open position a pair of U-shaped purse frames which are pivotally connected together at their adjacent ends by end aligned pivots and resiliently urged to a closed position, comprising a spring strip fixedly secured to the end portion of one of the frames with one end projected beyond the respective pivot and shaped to provide a hook, a second spring strip extended along the end portion of the other of the frames with one end projected beyond the said respective pivot and shaped to provide a hook complementary to said first hook so that when the frames are pivoted to a fully open position said hooks will be engaged retaining the frames in an open position, said second spring strip having its other end pivoted on its respective frame to be swung on axis extended at right angles to the axis on which the frames swing with relation to each other, and means for pivoting said second spring strip to disengage said hooks and free the frames to be resiliently urged to a closed position, said means comprising a cylinder secured to the frame upon which said second spring strip is secured with its axis extended at right angles to the pivot of said second spring strip, the frame upon which said second spring strip is pivoted having an elongated slot with its length extended parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said second spring strip, having a recess aligned with and directed away from said slot, a plunger having an intermediate portion extended slidably through said cylinder, and a right-angularly bent extension on the inner end of said plunger having its free end projected through said slot and into said recess, so that when said plunger is pressed inward said second spring strip will be pivoted to disengage said hooks, said plunger having an enlarged portion extended from the outer end of said cylinder, and an expansion spring on said plunger within said cylinder and bearing against the inner end of said enlarged portion urging said plunger into an extended position in which the hook of said second spring strip is aligned with the hoolcof said fixed spring strip.

WALTER L. STRAUSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

